aviation magazine volume 4

Vol 4 Aviation Magazine 1

2 Aviation Magazine Vol 4

It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you the second edition of the Aviation Magazine of 2017. I am sure you will agree with me that this has been an eventful year for Zimbabwean Aviation. Earlier in the year, we witnessed an increase in the number of operators to Victoria Falls at the behest of a rare bird the Pied Wheatear. As the year progressed other airlines increased frequencies to our various airports or up-scaled their equipment as with the case with RwandAir to Harare and South African Airlink which now operates their new Embraer E190 to JM Nkomo International airport in Bulawayo. History was made last month when Harare International Airport was renamed Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport. This befitting honour, to one of Zimbabwe’s founding fathers, is a tribute deserving both in name and in character. Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport will no doubt propel our aviation industry to greater heights.

The greater heights mentioned above will be facilitated by the upgrading of Robert Mugabe International Airport. The works will see the airport offer modern features and amenities required by both the passenger and airlines alike. The new capacity of 6 million passengers per annum

will require aggressive marketing to ensure that maximum capacity is obtained. A detailed review of the upgrading project is covered on page….Through close collaboration with the Tourism and Hospitality industry, we are proud to say that we have started attracting a new kind of tourist to Zimbabwe. Private jets from across the world continue descend upon Victoria Falls and this trend must be promoted and encouraged. These visits would not have been possible had it not be for the new State of the Art Victoria Falls International Airport that can now accommodate wide bodied aircraft and the continued destination marketing from our tourism partners. In this edition, you will be enlightened on the cornerstone of international aviation which is the Bilateral Air Service Agreement, commonly referred to as BASA, Africa’s plan for a common airspace and taken on a tour of the Eastern Highlands and the new skywalk.It is my sincere hope that you will enjoy reading this edition of the Aviation Magazine as my team and I enjoyed compiling it for you our esteemed reader. Happy Reading AJ Hungwe

Edito

r’s n

ote

Avia

tion

Ma

ga

zine

1st

Issu

e 2

017.

ANNA JULIA HUNGWE


CONTENTS

4. Foreword

6. View From the control tower

8. Avi-News

10. Common Market of East and Southern Africa

(COMESA) airspace integration project

12. What a shot

14. Five in Five

16. 2017 Customer Service Week celebrations

18. Breaking barriers, a lady’s touch in air worthiness

20. Insightful quotes

22. Is East Africa rising?

30. SA bailout money not enough to buy Emirates

33. Seven hidden aircraft features you probably didn’t

know

34. Zimbabwe and Mozambique review BASA

36. Africa’s low cost airline: What’s next?

38. Drones in Zimbabwe

40. New Victoria Falls International Airport behind boom

in tourist arrivals to the destination

43. Tourism news

44. Eastern Highlands: There is nowhere more beautiful in

Africa

48. Watch what you eat before boarding

50. All in a day’s work

52. Essential travel tips

Civil AviationAuthority of Zimbabwe

OUR CONTACTS3rd Level

New Terminal BuildingR.G Mugabe International Airport

Harare, ZimbabweTel: +263 (4) 585073/88

Fax: +263 (4) [email protected]

[email protected]

AVIATION MAGAZINE EDITORIAL TEAM

EditorAnnajulia Hungwe

[email protected]

Consulting EditorMonica Cheru Mpambawashe

[email protected]

ContentNunurai Ndawana

[email protected]

PhotographyCAAZ PR

[email protected]

Advertising Tendai Mbirimi

[email protected]

Design and LayoutWellington Ziduche

[email protected]@zimpapers.co.zw

ContributorsProf Dr. Wolfgang H. Thome

Jon Howell Markus Korhonen

Ross KennedyLovejoy Chihanga

Monica Cheru MpambawasheIyabo Sosina

Publisher Zimpapers

Corner G. Silundika/Sam Nujoma04-795771

PrintersNatPrint

102 Simon Mazorodze04-621730

Social Media Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe

@caaz_online

@caazonline


FOREWORD

The prospect of air transport in Africa is very bright as air traffic is expected to double by 2030. With the resurgence of positive interest

in the establishment of a Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) through the full implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision (YD), African States are now more than ever before ready to foster the sustainable development of air transport with its catalytic roles to connect African States to regional and global markets.This will no doubt enhance the expeditious movement of people, goods and other vital tourism and business development activities.

Already, the major stakeholders are intensifying efforts to foster dialogue not only to identify, but to implement practical strategies and concrete actions that will boost the development of air links, tourism, trade and investment across the continent especially through improvements in the regulatory framework, infrastructure investment, airline ownership as well as operational incentives for airlines in order to create a competitive environment for aviation business to thrive on the continent.The African sky is increasingly being used by major airlines with latest-generation aircraft that require suitable infrastructure. In addition, African airlines are showing development ambitions and have

IYABO O. SOSINA (MS)Secretary General of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC)


begun to renew their fleet with the acquisition of large aircrafts in anticipation of the expected growth. Thus, there is the need for Africa’s civil aviation infrastructure to be as efficient, effective and sustainable as their counterparts in terms of reliability and versatility of their operations. In this regard, AFCAC will continue to urge all African States to utilize the African Civil Aviation Policy (AFCAP) as it supports safe, functional, cost effective and user-friendly airports in terms of airport planning, infrastructure development and maintenance. AFCAP also encourages Public/Private participation in the development and maintenance of airports which should be privatized, autonomous, competitive and highly commercialized airport systems.Furthermore, within the air transport value chain, there is room for further improvement through innovation and collaboration among all stakeholders for improved efficiency and effectiveness in the industry as well as for the purposes of both prosperity and security, resulting in a common goal of a safe, secure, reliable, economical and efficient air transport.In the area of safety, it is noteworthy that safety standards in Africa have improved tremendously. AFCAC in collaboration with other stakeholders have continued to promote the development of programmes, projects and initiatives which are assisting States to implement safety targets especially through education and training. These have significantly enhanced the human resource capacity building in Africa leading to the delivery of satisfactory safety and security standards in the region.These efforts have also led to the progressive increase in the level of

Effective Implementation (EI) of the critical elements of Safety during the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program (USOAP) resulting in an increase in the number of member States with EIs of 60% or greater.So far, many of international airports within AFI Region have been certified as of September, 2017 and the remaining international airports are in the process of certification. Also, 20 airlines have undergone IOSA training through an IATA sponsored initiative while 7 airlines have been added to the IOSA Registry as of the same time above. In the area of aviation security, AFCAC with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have assisted the African Ministers responsible for air transport to set targets which should improve their States’ implementation of the critical elements of security and facilitation and right now, AFCAC is engaged in expediting the endorsement of the Ministerial Declaration and Targets on Security and Facilitation by the AU Summit of Heads of State and Government. All these milestones are significant and they remain crucial to the realization of the Single African Air Transport Market in Africa and integration of the African continent in line with the AU Agenda 2063. Therefore, it is important for aviation stakeholders in Africa including the airlines and those in the aviation value chain to sustain mutual cooperation and collaboration for the purpose of sharing resources, acquiring mutual support and achieving cooperative development in order to help address areas of deficiencies, harness opportunities in the aviation arena and build on our many common aviation interests.

Ms. Iyabo O. Sosina is the Secretary General (SG) of the

African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), a job she began

on 9 January, 2012. With close to three decades of aviation

industry experience, Ms. Sosina is a strong advocate of the

need for African States to open up their skies to each other

so that African airlines can operate freely within the continent,

thereby connecting the capitals and cities of Africa and forging

the integration of the continent.

She is a passionate believer in the vast potentials of the

African aviation industry and as Secretary General/CEO of

AFCAC, one of her immediate priorities has been to actualize

the Establishment of the Single African Air Transport Market

(SAATM) by 2017 through the full implementation of the

Yamoussoukro Decision (YD) in accordance with the African

Union Agenda 2063.

She has also very strongly promoted the improvement of safety

and security in Africa and has worked in her capacity as the SG

with other partners to raise the level of effective implementation

of the critical elements of safety and security of the member

States of AFCAC to the global average with increasing success.

Prior to her appointment to the position of SG of AFCAC, she

was the Director of Air Transport Regulation in the Nigerian

Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), from 2009-2012 where she

supervised the preparation of the Air Transport Economic

Regulations incorporating the Consumer Protection Regulations.

She also supervised the automation of the Department as

well as the automation or collection from source, of the Sales

Charge which formed 95% of the organization’s revenue.

Her aviation career began in 1989 with the International

Relations Department of the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Aviation.

A pioneer staff of the NCAA, she held various positions and

was part of the team whose work led to the commercialization

and liberalization of the air transport industry in Nigeria and the

institutionalization of consumer protection programmes.

Ms. Sosina has been instrumental in organizing several

international and regional conferences and assisted in

negotiating more than forty (40) Bilateral Air Services Agreements

(BASA) between Nigeria and other countries.

The holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in History/Political Science

from the University of Ife, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, Ms. Sosina later

obtained her Master of Science Degree in International History

from the London School of Economics and Political Science

(LSE), University of London. She also has two Diplomas from

the IATA Training and Development Institute in Civil Aviation

Management (2003) and Airport Management (2007).

Ms. Sosina has over the course of her career, received training

in general management, air transport economics, aviation law,

airport, airline and air navigation management.

She is a past member of both the International Civil Aviation

Organization (ICAO) Facilitation Panel (FALP) and the TAG/

MRTD and of several other International and Regional

Committees and Working Groups.

Ms. Sosina is a recipient of the Merit Award – State House

(1984) and Merit Award – Federal Ministry of Aviation (1996)

RESUME OF IYABO O.

SOSINA (Ms)Secretary General of the African

Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC)


Despite operating in a suppressed economic environment, African Aviation continues to show signs of progress and stability. Most airlines are maintaining a relative positive balance sheet with others recording, not so impressive figures. The most impressive figures however, are those that are being reported on the safety of African airlines and the improved safety oversight by the different authorities. One key aspect that has been a catalyst for this stability and growth is the modernisation of equipment and infrastructure. Recently Air Senegal ordered two Airbus A320neo (new engine option) , in November Ethiopian Airlines took delivery of their second Boeing 787-900 , Egypt Air took delivery of their 8th Boeing 737-800 , RwandAir flies the youngest fleet in Africa and during the recently held ACI Africa Summit in Mauritius Air Mauritius took delivery of an Airbus A350-900. All of these deliveries highlight the progress and investment being put by African airlines into fleet development and modernisation. According to Boeing, Africa is set to have a 112% increase in the number of aircraft to 1 460 in service in the next 20 years. This drive will be influenced by the need to replace aged fleet and growth in commercial service. Of this aircraft demand forecast, about 70,43% of aircraft will be single aisle aircraft, 21.87% small wide body aircraft, 5,22% medium wide bodied aircraft and 3,43% will be regional jets.The United Nations Africa forecast that 187 million Africans will move to the city within the next 10 years, this; together with a growing labour force, urbanisation and implementation of new technologies will pave the way for a growth in the e c o n o m i c sector triggering aviation development.T h i s rapid urbanisation requires airports

infrastructure that will be in a position to accommodate and complement

it. The Victoria Falls International Airport is one such example. Once the modern facility is there, traffic tends to grow and demand to that destination grows exponentially. Currently the Victoria Falls International Airport records a month on month growth of 21%, which is a huge growth percentage.

Such growth patterns are key pointers in justifying funding for

future airports development. The West African

country of Senegal has every reason to be optimistic about its aviation future with the opening of the U$575 million Blaise Diagne International Airport in December 2017. The airport will have initial capacity for

three million passengers per year, rising to 10 million per year, making it one of the highest-capacity airports in Africa. The new facility’s increased size can accommodate larger aircraft in class of the Airbus A380 and will handle much more air traffic.The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe is mindful of these developments and forecast in the aviation industry, hence the ongoing infrastructure development plan. As part of the CAAZ ongoing Airports Modernising Programme, R.G Mugabe International Airport will undergo a massive upgrading exercise that will put it in league with top global airports and ensure that Zimbabwe claims its rightful position as an aviation hub in Africa.The upgrading programme will increase the capacity of the airport from 2,5 million passengers per annum to 6 million passengers per annum. Different modern features and amenities will be introduced which are set to make the airport experience for the passenger truly world-class and comfortable. In moving forward, ways and means of making aviation more efficient and accessible must be embraced. Ethiopian Airlines Chief executive officer, Tewolde Gebremariam, said “What I cannot figure out to this day is why airlines cannot fly from point A to point B in a straight line. This is a huge cost to every airline as there is so much inefficiency”. This and other practices must be reviewed and addressed to promote the efficient use of civil aviation. One measure that is currently under discussion is the introduction of the common airspace. Currently airspace is defined from Nation to Nation and pilots are handed over to various air traffic controllers when crossing borders. This provides delays and inefficiencies as in most cases aircraft are asked to increase or decrease their altitude or cruise speed as required by the different Air traffic controls. We have seen some countries implementing the “Open Skies Policy” to relative success and witnessed by the increase number of both passengers and aircraft. African States are urged to open up their skies and provide more access to destinations that were not served and give passenger more options in air travel. Intra-Africa trade and tourism is shockingly low and the above mentioned element is a key impediment. Recently we have seen countries like Ghana, Rwanda, Nigeria and Kenya announcing that all Africans can now obtain a visa at the port of entry. Such initiatives promote tourism and trade with fellow African countries as the visa barrier has been removed. I urge Governments to look into this issue as it holds more benefits than disadvantages. Imagine having Arik Air, Royal Air Morc and Air Mauritius introducing a daily service to Victoria Falls as a result of a revised visa regime. All these are part of the forward thinking measures that we have to collectively look into and introduce for the betterment of our economies and industry.Aviation remains on a growing path and is employing more and more people by the year. As this growth maintains its pattern, I urge all who are in aviation, tourism and trade and commerce industries to work together and support this growth. Collaborative efforts will ensure that we sustain this growth which downstream benefits are guaranteed and propel the growth of the economy. As we wind up 2017, I urge all to keep on working hard and always offer service with a smile and ensure that our guest enjoy the warm hospitality that we are known for. Until then, Merry Christmas and I wish you all a prosperous 2018.

David Chawota CAAZ General Manager/CEO

VIEW FROM THE CONTROL TOWER


AVINEWS


In a 2008 report by the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), air transport creates about 470,000 jobs across various sectors and generates revenue of about USD1.7 billion in Africa. African’s share of the Global aviation market stands at about 5%but the African aviation industry during the recent period of world economic crisis, enjoyed a significant growth rate (5%-7%) compared to other regions of the world. Most significant is the volume of intra-African traffic which stood at roughly 30% of the total African air transport traffic. The next question asked is how do we maintain and improve on these figures? Not one answer can be pointed out but one that stands out it’s the Common Airspace for Africa. Its main advantages are to improve safety and gain air traffic control efficiency and performance advantages. Here is an update on how COMESA member states have been working on achieving the common airspace.

Study Background

The current airspace organisation is principally based on geographical boundaries and the division of airspace has been

dictated for years by national considerations. This impacts more particularly long haul and mid haul flights which have to cross several control units along their route and to adapt successively to various quality of service levels which leads to inefficiencies and potentially problems. The global forecast foresees that the aviation industry in the African region will be growing at above global average rates. The fleet of new passenger and cargo aircraft is supposed to double by 2035. The upper airspace of the 19 COMESA Member States comprises 16 Flight Information Regions (FIRs) which together represent an area of more than 25.9 million square kilometres (i.e. more than 2, 5 times the European airspace) with air navigation services being provided by 14 Area Control Centres (ACCs).

The Institutional Context

The enhancement of transport infrastructure is a key goal in the infrastructure development plans of Common Market of East and Southern Africa (COMESA) and its regional partners. In accordance the COMESA Treaty, the 19 Member

COMMON MARKET OF EAST AND SOUTHERN AFRICA (COMESA) AIRSPACE INTEGRATION PROJECT

UPDATE:


States have an obligation to cooperate and develop common policies and programmes, and specifically in matters related to air transport and air navigation as reflected in Article 87 of the treaty. Implementation of airspace harmonization is essential in order to ensure a seamless and sustainable development of the air transport system within the Region, thus resulting in high safety and security levels among all aviation stakeholders. The COMESA Airspace Integration Project was initiated in 2011, financed by the African Development Bank. A Project Steering Committee of seven states was set up comprising Egypt, Kenya, Madagascar Rwanda, Sudan, Zambia and Zimbabwe and was mandated with exploring the sustainability of establishing COMESA Airspace Integration Project. The Way Forward

The study recommended that the COMESA Seamless Upper Airspace (CSUA) be implemented as three consecutives Phases:

• Phase 1: Establishment of Seamless Upper Airspace with existing FIRs in accordance with the ICAO Global Air Navigation Plan • Phase 2: Establishment of Sub-Regional Clusters • Phase 3: Integration of the Airspace

The Directors of Civil Aviation and Senior Military Officials in the Kigali (Rwanda) meeting of 27 to 28 June 2017 adopted the Final Report on the Technical and Financial Feasibility Study. The 10th meeting of the Ministers of Transport and Infrastructure, held in Lusaka Zambia from the 3-4 October 2017 adopted the implementation of COMESA Airspace Integration Project with a recommendation for a further study.

Air Traffic Control Tower at Victoria Falls International Airport


2 3

1


4

8

7

1. UNDER THE RAINBOW. . . A RwandAir B737-800 prepares to board passengers from it’s second hub in west Africa @rwandair2. PERFECT TIMING . . . Rare imagery of two Norwegian B787 800 paineairport.com3. NOSEY PLANE . . . Selfie of B787-900 before an evening service 4. CARGO MATTERS . . . A Qatar Airways B777-200 taxis off with another cargo haul.@qatar5. SUNSET BEAUTY . . . An Emirates A380 takes off with a perfect sunset view @emirates6. DONE FOR THE DAY . . . An airbus A321 retires on the apron after an altitudinal day7. CLOUD NINE . . . Red clouds curtain smooth landing @melbryne8. TOWER CONTROL . . . All clear to climb up to 28000ft @lufthansa

5 6

1. Aviation in Africa and Zimbabwe is on an upward trend, where do you see it in the next five years?Emerging markets in the world of aviation shows that growth, according to ICAO world traffic forecasts, is anticipated in India, Turkey, China and Africa. For Africa the main drivers are growth in tourism, greater market liberalisation (implementation of open skies policies), increased population living in the diaspora, students studying in foreign lands etc. Zimbabwe is set to experience growth in aviation due to the above factors and current efforts by the government to increase airports infrastructure capacity complimented by an aggressive implementation of the open skies policy. The opening up of the domestic and regional routes to both local and foreign airlines will see marked increase in aviation

activities in Zimbabwe as the country recently saw new airlines e.g. fastjet

Zimbabwe and FlyAfricaClub commencing scheduled flights.

I also see Zimbabwe in the top 5 ICAO compliant States in Africa due to the

current strategies to drive compliance status for aviation

safety and security standards to better than 85% by 2018

and beyond. The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe has already

developed partnerships both domestic and

i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r g a n i s a t i o n s to ensure c o m p l i a n c e with ICAO Standards and

Recommended Practises.

2. The Low Cost Carrier wave seem to have gathered pace, but not without any start-ups going burst. In your view what is the biggest challenge faced by LCC’s in Zimbabwe and Africa?The biggest challenge is sustaining operations in a price sensitive and high cost business environment. Although the LCC business model aims at reducing operating costs there are fixed costs e.g. fuel, maintenance and labour which often threaten viability especially at the start up stage.

3. There has been plenty of talk about the much revered AOC, what does it entail and how does one obtain one?A prospective applicant for an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) is required to first register the company in Zimbabwe and get an Air Service Permit from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development. The applicant will then formally apply to the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe for an AOC and go through a 5 phase air operator certification process. The certification process takes a minimum of three months and the applicant will be expected to demonstrate capacity to run an airline in terms of financial resources, qualified human resources, aircraft operations and adequate maintenance arrangements.

4. In 2016 Africa recorded zero passenger fatalities and zero jet hull losses. What do you attribute to this remarkable achievement? The positive outcome is mainly due to increased awareness of safety responsibilities by all aviation stakeholders and a collaborative approach to compliance with safety and security regulations. Governments have also played a central role by showing increased commitment and support for compliance to international standards for safety and security.

5. How far have we gone on the drone regulations? How do they affect drone operators?The drone regulations are going through the final stages for promulgation and we expect them to be gazetted by end of first quarter 2018. The regulations have a key role in establishing a level playing field to ensure that all drone operations are standardized and conducted in a safe and secure manner.

Five FiveinCAAZ Director of Flight Safety Standards James Danga, shares his views on the

emerging trends in aviation, LCC’s and Africa’s fast improving safety record.


2017 CUSTOMER SERVICE WEEK CELEBRATIONS

During the annual Customer Services Week celebrations, the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe embarked on a clean-up campaign of the residential suburb of Breaside and the Sorting Office roundabout along airport road and Glenara Road. As part of the week’s activities the CAAZ visited Kentucky Prison and donated some groceries and flip flops for the inmates at a time when the International Inmates week was being celebrated. CAAZ’s CSR actives are hinged on supporting and investing in education.

The CSW2017 was closed off by donations to St Maslin Children’s Home which runs a school and a home for the orphaned children. An official event was held were various Customer Service Champions were honoured and received awrds for the sterling and exemplary customer service which they offered throughout the year.

St Maslin Children’s Home, Kentucky Prison and Airport road engaged as Corporate Social Responsibility Projects during Customer Services Week.


N.N: Hello, thank you for giving us time to talk to you. If you could please start off by introducing yourself?

M.M: I am Mavis Musakasa currently serving as an Airworthiness Inspector with the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe.

N.N: How did you get to be an Airworthiness inspector, is it something you have always wanted to be or you hopped and landed here?

M.M: Well, not really that I dreamt to be Airworthiness Inspector from the beginning but what I can say is that I had a mechanical inclination, just that strong passion for technical things. One day I saw an advert in the newspaper from the Airforce. It read “How about joining a challenging and rewarding career…”. This prompted me to join the Airforce of Zimbabwe where I went through a rigorous selection and military training before embarking on my technical training as (Aircraft Maintenance Engineer) for a four year duration. I served for several years in the Airforce and after getting tired of spanners that’s when I made a decision to explore for further opportunities within the area of my qualification. I got an opportunity to be employed as an Airside Safety officer formerly Ramp Safety with CAAZ and later joined the Airworthiness section where vacancies had arisen.

N.N: Tell us about your early years in the aviation industry?

I entered the aviation world in 1998 and as mentioned before trained with the Airforce of Zimbabwe. I worked for various

squadrons on various types of aircraft and overhaul shops. It was a great exposure there. I was the only female in my class but I really enjoyed, the feeling of breaking barriers was gratifying. We were indeed a very good team with my colleagues. I later resigned from the force and joined the Civil Aviation Authority where I worked as Senior Airside Safety Inspector for two years .I loved my job but it didn’t quiet satisfy me as I was not fully applying what I was qualified for so when an opportunity arose within Flight Safety Airworthiness section I didn’t wait as I knew this was the kind of job that was more relevant to me. That’s how I came to be in Airworthiness.

N.N: Are you the only female airworthiness inspector in at CAAZ and how does it feel considering that you are in a male dominated industry?

M.M: Currently I am the only female in Airworthiness section, but you know what, I don’t even register it unless you start to mention about it. The whole of my career life I have been in a male dominated environment and I don’t even register that in my mind. I have told myself that I am part of them and there should be no difference. You just have to be equal to task.

N.N: What are the challenges that you have faced as a female in this career? M.M: There are perceived challenges for women in such careers but I wouldn’t really say I faced challenges because I just took everything natural and lucky for me, I have worked with very supportive teams.

INTERVIEW

BREAKING BARRIERS, A LADY’S TOUCH IN AIR WORTHINESS

The Airworthiness performs a critical function in the aviation sector. It is a role where attention to detail and evaluation are of a critical nature. An Airworthiness inspector it tasked with the role of inspecting an aircraft’s airworthiness “it’s fitness to fly” referring to manuals, guidelines and internationally agreed procedures. Traditionally this job has been a domain of men who have been at the helm of it all but it is changing with a new wave of women in pink overalls bandanas and spanners. Aviation Magazine’s Nunurai Ndawana caught up with Mavis Musakasa an Airworthiness Inspector at RGM International Airport to discuss what it takes to be an airworthiness inspector and her experiences to date.


Aspiring women aviators also desire to be mothers and wives. Nonetheless, women face complexity when attempting to balance family and career aspirations. For example pregnancy would partly stall the progress of a woman because of certain restrictions/standards that would hinder them from doing certain functions even if you feel fit. Nature has it and we just have to work around it.A failure on any level for a female in a male dominated world is unforgiving and fuels the pre-conceived stereotype that women are somehow not as good as their male counterparts. So women need to work hard, if not harder than the man sitting next to them in order to earn respect and forestall unwarranted criticism in the event of a weak moment. There is need for women to continue fighting.

N.N: What are the highs and lows in your profession?

M.M: Airworthiness is interesting and has given me unique experiences and has diversified my knowledge.As Inspectors, our responsibility is to ensure all safety guidelines and standards are complied with for safe operation of aircraft. It tears as our hearts if it becomes a hide and seek game. Safety is everyone’s responsibility and therefore what makes us happy is the cooperation by everyone involved in aviation to uphold safety standards and ensure an incident or accident free environment. Our job can also be physically and emotionally challenging as we deal with aircraft accident investigations.

N.N: What is the strength that keeps you going while on duty?

M.M: It’s just a fascinating field and I just look forward to surprises each day.

N.N: Where does the drone wave put you as airworthiness inspectors?

M.M: The aviation industry has been always dynamic. Ready or not ready drones (also known as Remotely Piloted Aircraft or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) are here and flying all over the world. As Airworthiness we are used to the dynamics in the industry and we have to keep pace with the technological development. It’s a sector that is developing too fast. The technology has matured rapidly and is playing an important role in aviation as drones are being used for civil purposes and therefore expected to increasingly influence our daily lives just as the internet did hence the need to regulate drone activities. Drones are being used in agriculture, construction, maps/geophysical survey, mining, photography, parcel delivery you name it. The top priority is maintaining safety for manned aircraft and people on ground. Aviation regulations have historically contemplated two types of regulations (i) the manned passenger and cargo (ii) model aircraft for recreation.In response to this new civil demand, States are developing regulations to regulate the operations of drones and

Promulgation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles regulations in Zimbabwe is at an advanced stage and soon the registration of all drones in the country will commence. The proposed regulations define the technical and operational requirements for UAVs including pilots qualification for certain categories. The aviation industry is so dynamic and we can’t run away from that. We just have to embrace such innovation though it means a lot more standards to enforce.

N.N: Any words of advice that you would give to young girls that would like to be Airworthiness inspector?

M.M: The number of women in aviation is growing steadily and therefore young girls should be inspired and shatter that old mindset that made aviation the business of male the species. I challenge them that they can do it, the sky is the limit. There should be systems to expose young girls to opportunities in aviation and eliminate the perceived barriers so that they are able to choose whatever they want to pursue in aviation. Women and men are wired differently, like when growing up boys prefer cars and girls prefer dolls .So there is need to give them chance to refocus their minds.I would say to young girls, go for your dreams, do what you love, never feel scared to explore new horizons. Life will always expand to meet your dreams.

‘Our responsibility is to ensure all safety guidelines and standards are complied

with for safe operation of aircraft.’


Problems in the national economy of one of the East African nations, Burundi, saw flight frequencies reduced – Brussels Airlines now only serves Bujumbura once a week via Kigali – while other airlines threw in the towel altogether like FlyDubai. The Dubai

based airline started with great fanfare but soon faced a hostile Visa regime, high cost of Visa and political developments in Burundi triggered a massive downturn in outbound travel due to the collapse of the economy.

FlyDubai eventually pulled out of Burundi, leaving the country’s air connections in the region up to Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and RwandAir. Past assurances that Air Burundi would be revived came to naught and Burundi now first needs to put her house in order, politically and economically, before airlines can again be tempted to take a fresh look at the country and its passenger and cargo potential.

South Sudan, has not fared much better. While Entebbe is connected with Juba daily through fifth freedom rights arrangements with RwandAir plus an additional fifth freedom

flight by Ethiopian Airlines, flights of major foreign airlines reduced rather than increased. The likes of Ethiopian, Kenya Airways, FlyDubai and Egypt Air are pondering what to do as ticket sales declined due to a lack of money, massive devaluation of the South Sudanese currency, hyperinflation and their inability to repatriate their sales proceeds – something which four years ago ruined Kenya’s Jetlink with reportedly 2.5 million US Dollars stuck in Juba’s banks, unable to find its way home to Nairobi.

Several privately incorporated airlines fly from Juba to some of the more distant towns like Malakal, Wau, Rumbek and others, where airstrip exist, to spare their passengers the dangerous road journey across a countryside where robberies and worse seem to be the order of the day.

Air accidents though are of major concern and as long as regulatory oversight is weak will wannabe passengers have to worry just a bit more than in the rest of Africa about their safe arrival.

Enter Kenya, where national airline Kenya Airways has seen turbulent times in the recent past, was forced to reduce their fleet, streamline operations, cuts cost and which suffered

East Africa’s aviation scene last year and also in the early part of 2017 has rarely been so diverse, so challenging and so confusing for uninformed onlookers than is the case right now.

By Prof Dr Wolfgang H. Thome Aviation | Tourism Consultant

Aviation prospects in east Africa for 2017

IS EAST AFRICA

RISING?


at the hand of militant unions ready to cut off their noses to spite their faces.

While subsidiary Jambojet has been making profits has Kenya Airways’ itself

operated at substantial losses over the past several years. A new recovery plan called

‘Operation Pride’ was put into place last year and has shown a marked upturn in fortunes again,

especially over the past few months. This gives rise to hope that the airline will soon fly into less turbulent

financial territory again and full year financial results are expected soon after the airlines financial year ended on the 31st of March.

Kenya, being the country with the most vibrant aviation sector in the East African region, also has a number of privately owned airlines operating. They mainly operate from Jomo Kenyatta International,

serving routes to Mombasa, Lamu, Malindi, Ukunda, Eldoret and Kisumu alongside Kenya Airways

and Jambojet but most of them operate from the second major airport in the Kenyan capital,

Wilson Airport. Among those are Fly540, FlySax and African Express among others while attempts to launch Fastjet in Kenya have come to naught at this stage.

It is from Wilson Airport, said to be Africa’s busiest, that literally all safari parks can be reached with scheduled flights every day or several times a week. Competition is intense among the Wilson based operators but none of them, thankfully, is showing signs of financial instability. To the contrary are the main players like Safarilink, Air Kenya and others adding new or preowned aircraft to serve more routes, notably to airfields across Kenya which don’t even have the status as fully fledged airports or aerodromes. Kitale, a town at the foot of Mt. Elgon in North Western Kenya is worth mentioning to where Safarilink late last year launched a daily service as is Kakamega in Western Kenya, served by FLY540.

It does not come as a surprise therefore that Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is also East Africa’s largest aviation hub and host to airlines from around the world which fly to Nairobi as their primary entry point to Africa. All the main Gulf airlines, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Emirates but also Air Arabia from Sharjah and Oman Air


from Muscat, besides Saudi Arabian and Turkish Airlines are flying daily or double daily to Nairobi while most of the European airlines too are calling on Nairobi, either daily or several times a week. Among those are KLM/Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa, Swiss and Alitalia.

Aviation infrastructure development in Kenya has of late shown results with Nairobi’s main airport now largely decongested and able to handle more passengers. A brand new terminal for Kenya Airways and their partner airlines and existing terminal refurbishments have lifted JKIA’s capacity towards the 10+ million mark, considering an additional pre-fabricated arrival and departure terminal was also opened early last year. All missing now is a second runway for East Africa’s main aviation hub, which is long overdue and could prove to be a serious impediment for future growth if not resolved on the double.

Moving across Kenya’s southern border to Tanzania, there is a major story to tell about aviation.

While a number of locally registered airlines like Coastal Aviation – East Africa’s largest air charter company with the most registered aircraft – Auric Air and ZanAir operate out of Dar es Salaam, Arusha or Mwanza to such places like Zanzibar, the Tanzanian national parks and secondary and

tertiary airfields across the country – Auric for instance serves some 30 destinations with scheduled and non-scheduled flights – is it probably the kinds of fastjet and Precision Air which get the most attention.

Both of these airlines have been operating in Tanzania on domestic routes and in addition does fastjet link Dar es Salaam to Lusaka, Harare and Johannesburg but no longer Nairobi and Entebbe. The airline, as part of a sustained cost cutting exercise, in December 2016 halted their flights to Kenya and Uganda. Both of these airlines have been writing red balance sheets for some time now and it is anyone’s guess when they will turn the tables following the most recent aviation developments in Tanzania. Despite of such challenges has Precision Air very recently announced the resumption of flights from Dar es Salaam to Entebbe with some flights routing via Kilimanjaro after fastjet vacated the route in early December of last year.

After years of limping along and more often than not being on the ground rather than in the air, has Air Tanzania, the national airline of Tanzania, suddenly seen their fortunes change. A change of management and a complete overhaul of the Board of Directors under the government of President Magufuli has arguably cut the deadwood with a number of past managers facing court cases over alleged corruption


and sheer incompetence.Tanzania over the past nine months has staggering half a

billion US Dollars on three aircraft order, not second hand, not leased and not procured through notorious middlemen but bought outright from the manufacturers.

An initial order worth 68 million US Dollars saw two Bombardier Q400NG turboprop aircraft arrive in September which allowed Air Tanzania to resume operations on a number of domestic routes. At the end of November then did the Tanzanian government spend a further 200 million US Dollars to pay for another Q400NG due for delivery during the first half of 2017 while at the same time ordering two state of the art Bombardier CS300 jet aircraft, the most modern single aisle plane presently flying in the skies. These two aircraft will join the Air Tanzania fleet under an accelerated delivery programme probably as early as late 2017.

To top it has Tanzania then in early December announced a deal with Boeing for a B787-8 Dreamliner after paying a commitment fee of 10 million US Dollars for delivery in the second half of 2018, the deal worth some 230 million US Dollars overall. All new aircraft are ‘owned’ by a separate parastatal body, not Air Tanzania directly, ostensibly to avoid auctioneers trying to use their regular tactics to collect historical debts from the carrier. And in a very recent

development was it learned that Air Tanzania is in talks with Bombardier to offload their aged Q300 aircraft in exchange for yet another brand new Q400NextGen, due to take place over the next few months.

The opening of a completely new international arrivals and departures terminal at Julius Nyerere International Airport in late 2017 or early 2018 (there have been significant delays attributed to a shortage of fund), finally bringing Dar es Salaam into the 21st aviation century with a state of the art facility. At the same time are works going in at Kilimanjaro International and Mwanza to bring other important airports across the country in line with airlines’ needs, after Mbeya’s new airport was commissioned just over two years ago. Mtwara, the ‘gas capital’ of Tanzania, will also see its airport modernized to allow for the use of jets rather than turboprops, when the runway has been extended and the terminal buildings been spruced up.

Rwanda, where aviation has made giant leaps over the past years. RwandAir, the national airline, now operates a fleet of already 11 aircraft with a twelfth, another B737-800NG having joined in May. Two Bombardier Q400NG aircraft are operating alongside two Bombardier CRJ900NG’s, two


Boeing B737-700NG’s and now three Boeing B787-800NG’s of which the latest delivery offers inflight WiFi connectivity. This is another first on the African continent that a single aisle plane comes with this added service to keep passengers on board connected through their smart phones once reaching cruising altitude. All single aisle aircraft on the fleet offer a dual class cabin layout with Business Class and Economy Class on every flight, a service much appreciated by frequent flyers.

The most impressive fleet additions in 2016 however were two Airbus A330 wide body aircraft, one -200 and one -300 variant, which set the stage for launching long haul flights for the first time in the airline’s history. Again, both aircraft offer inflight WiFi for passengers and are configured in a three class layout with Business Class, a separate Premium Economy Class cabin – the best in Africa - and the regular Economy Class.

Mumbai was launched on the 3rd of April, London Gatwick joined the network and already there is talk of adding New York. Indications are that in conjunction with an FAA Category One approved West African waypoint and confirmation was received recently that RwandAir is already in close negotiations with Airbus for the delivery of yet another wide body aircraft to facilitate the launch of flights to the Big Apple

Further African destinations are on the drawing board too for RwandAir after already covering Eastern Africa and West Africa with a total of 7 each destinations. Harare launched on the 01st of April 2017 while other new city pairs to Durban and Conakry are planned for later this year. There is talk of link Harare with Cape Town and this route has already generated interest from tour operators from the two Sothern African

cities.

RwandAir is a rising star in the African skies with passenger numbers for 2016 topping the 700.000 mark and rising to an estimated million in the near future when both Airbus A330’s are fully deployed on long haul routes.

RwandAir’s hub airport, Kigali International, has seen a major expansion and modernization taking place over the past years and while still compact offers much greater comfort to in particular transit passengers. RwandAir is planned to open a new premium passenger lounge in 2017, besides the existing Pearl Lounge which is operated under an airport concession and all spaces for commercial use for duty free shops and cafes haven now been occupied. But, again, the vision of Rwanda is going way beyond what has already been accomplished.

A brand new airport is being constructed at Bugesera some 20 kilometres outside Kigali, under a unique BOOT project approach, whereby a Portuguese airport development and management company has to source the funds for construction of phase 1 and phase 2 of the new facility, overall worth in excess of 800 million US Dollars. The company will then own and operate the facility for an initial 25 years with a guaranteed extension by a further 15 years, before transferring the airport to the ownership of the Rwandan government.

Rwandan government replaced CEO John Mirenge – who also happened to be the current President of AFRAA – and installed an Acting CEO, Col. Chance Ndangano besides other changes in key positions. Girma Wake, Chairman of the RwandAir Board of Directors and former CEO of Ethiopian


Prof. Dr. Wolfgang H. Thome, after a career in East Africa’s tourism industry spanning over four decades, today describes himself as an aviation and travel journalist, having turned his passion into a new profession. With a background in tour and safari, but also hotel and air operations, he is uniquely qualified to cover the topics of his choice, for global market leader eTurboNews Inc. and of course through his widely read and regularly quoted blog ATC News.Wolfgang reports on aviation, hospitality developments, all matters tourism and conservation, and his blog today is the largest of its kind in the wider Eastern African region. He regularly speaks at aviation and tourism conferences and has successfully moderated many panel discussions on topical issues covering the aviation, hospitality

and tourism sectors.During his past career he served in key positions in sector associations, both in Kenya and his adopted home country Uganda, where he held the post of president of the Uganda Tourism Association for nearly 8 years after helping to rebuild Uganda’s trade association framework from scratch after the end of the liberation war. During that time he also served as chairman of Uganda’s national Hotel and Tourism Training Institute in Jinja.Keen on conservation issues, he served as chairman of the Rhino Fund Uganda during the crucial years of fundraising, establishing the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and launching the breeding programme aimed at returning rhinos to Uganda’s wild.

Airlines, remains in place and first indications are that there will be no change in operational plans to roll out the additional new destinations, leaving the sudden change at the helm a bit of a mystery.

Finally my own country, Uganda. The demise of Air Uganda, after serving the country for seven years, is still fresh in many people’s mind, was caused by incompetent regulators unlike Uganda Airlines which was liquidated in the early 1990’s and then followed by the likes of AJAS, Africa One, East African and Victoria International, all of which failed commercially and had to throw in the towel.

In the face of regional competition by Ethiopian Airlines, serving Entebbe three times a day, Kenya Airways serving Entebbe five times a day, RwandAir serving Entebbe four times a day and soon a return of Precision Air, will a revival of a Ugandan airline be an uphill struggle ?

A new Ugandan airline will not just face opponents from the region but also the global giants like Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad, Turkish Airlines and even Egypt Air, Europe’s Brussels Airlines and KLM all of which operate state of the art fleets and have an established client base. Brand loyalty, underscored by frequent flyer benefits, can in this day and

age not be underestimated apart from all of the competition being ready to take on another upstart by swiftly offering special deals to retain their passengers and protect their market share.

However, given the competition which has emerged around Uganda, it may truly be the best option to forget about a national airline, use the resources where the money is better spent like education, health and infrastructure and have our neighbours serve Entebbe through widened fifth freedom deals, including tying in new long haul services like the ones’ planned by RwandAir.

2017 has been an exciting year for aviation as the ‘new’ Air Tanzania spreads its wings again, RwandAir became an intercontinental airline for the first time in its history, a stabilized Kenya Airways flies into calmer financial skies and of course an Ethiopian Airlines on the prowl which can fit easily into the big league of global carriers, through its network, fleet composition and most important the constant profits Ethiopian has been generating over the years.

Yet, given the percentages shown of traffic carried by foreign airlines, it is today more important than ever before that Africa cooperates more closely. The Yamoussoukro Agreement, is far from being implemented and African airlines today often still have greater problems to securing landing and traffic rights, especially fifth freedom rights, which African governments however often literally throw at foreign carriers. Regional aviation accords, like under COMESA and the East African Community, are often equally ignored when it comes to even flying to one’s neighbouring country.

Protection from competition among African airlines is definitely misplaced when no such protection is offered against the global giants carving out not just niches from the African market but for all intent and purpose debone the aviation meat to leave the continent with but an aviation skeleton instead of a healthy aviation industry.


Fly Africa Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd is a 100% locally owned entity whose head offices are based in Harare Zimbabwe at the Robert Mugabe International Airport. Fly Africa Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd is under new management and attained its Air Operator’s Certificate on 25 April 2017.As a low cost airline which is locally owned, Fly Africa Zimbabwe will showcase and exhibit the beautiful diverse Zimbabwean culture in the skies. The culture is rooted from the diversity of ground staff and cabin crew most of which are very knowledgeable in local and some regional languages and culture.

ROUTES Fly Africa Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd began servicing the Harare- Victoria Falls route in June 2017. It flies 3 times in a week to Harare-Victoria Falls with specials and promotional prices starting as low as $60. Fly Africa will be looking to introducing new routes Bulawayo, Buffalo Range, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Lusaka .Fly Africa Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd is very proud to be introducing cargo services.

Contact us on: 575729 Beep us and we call you back 0773 370 127/ 0773 585 854 0783 383 220Fly Africa Offices can be found at;Meikles Hotel Complex. Borrowdale Village Walk First FloorR.G Mugabe International Airport New Domestic Terminal Robert Mugabe International AirportVictoria Falls Airport Joshua Nkomo Airport Bulawayo


By Markus Korhonen

For frustrated South African taxpayers, the country’s struggling and poorly managed national airline seems a bottomless pit. Markus Korhonen calculated the hypothetical price tag of a more profitable airline.No doubt employing hyperbole, the head of

Business Leadership South Africa emphasised the billions South Africa’s government has spent propping up the national airline with a striking comparison.“We have spent R50 billion on South African Airways since 1999. If we had not done that‚ we would have bought Emirates Airlines,” Bonang Mohale was reported as saying.R50 billion is certainly a big amount, but how does it compare to the price tag of one of the world’s biggest airlines?To put the sum in question into context, it is worth considering

just how much R50 billion really is. Were you to earn one rand every second of the day, you would receive a very generous salary of R86,400 per day or just over R2.5 million per month. Even at this rate, it would take you 31.7 years to earn your first billion rand. To get to R50 billion would take you almost 1,600 years.To put it another way, to have R50 billion now, you would have had to start earning this salary around the time of the very first Iron Age settlements at Great Zimbabwe. It is, in short, a lot of money.

R29.1 billion, not R50 billionAlas, it seems that Mohale’s claim of money spent does not quite stand up to scrutiny.Both the South African Airways (SAA) 2015/2016 annual report and the South African treasury 2016/2017 annual

FOR ALL THE BILLIONS,

ANALYSIS

SA AIRWAYS BAILOUT MONEY NOT ENOUGH TO BUY EMIRATES


report identify a total of R19.1 billion of “government guarantees” made available the airline to date.A government guarantee is basically a loan, which the government commits to paying back should the recipient of the loan default. Government guarantees, or bailouts, for SAA have been steadily increasing in both size and frequency.Up to 2012, the largest guarantee allocated to SAA was R1.6 billion, with further payments of R5 billion, R6.5 billion and R4.7 billion made between 2013 and 2016. An extra R10 billion has been allocated to the airline this year, which will take the total commitment to R29.1 billion.This, of course, is still a significant sum: earning your rand-a-second salary, you would still have to hang around for 920 years to accumulate this amount.

Wholly owned by government of DubaiBut would R29 billion (or even R50 billion) be enough to buy Emirates? The airline was established in 1985 and currently has a fleet of 259 planes. It is wholly owned by the government of Dubai through the state’s holding company, Investment Corporation of Dubai.Consequently, there is no readily available market value (number of shares outstanding multiplied by the value of the share). Thus, determining the value of a privately-owned company has to involve some guesswork.What a hypothetical buyer would be willing to pay for a company would be determined by a number of factors, such as the physical assets the company owns, the debt liabilities it has, its profitability and future earning potential and the value of the brand. Less easily quantifiable qualities,

According to market values provided by Forbes, R50

billion ($3.52 billion) would have sufficed to buy

Aeroflot-Russian Airlines (valued at $3.2 billion). Even the more modest

sum of R29.1 billion ($2.04 billion) would have allowed

South Africa to purchase Turkish Airlines, currently

going for $2 billion.


such as existing and potential challenges in the industry, or the value of employees’ skillsets may also be considered.Fortunately, Emirates is very transparent in reporting on its financial performance. The company publishes detailed results of its finances in its annual reports, with copies dating back to the 1993/1994 financial year freely available online. From these, we can begin to piece together the amounts we would be dealing with should Emirates be put up for sale.

29 consecutive years of profitEmirates’ 2016/2017 annual report very quickly shows that Mohale’s R50 billion, as enormous a sum as it is, would not go very far.It would not come close to covering the value of the assets the airline holds (R454 billion). It would not even cover last year’s fuel bill (R78.5 billion). The Emirates brand alone is calculated to be worth around R105 billion.R50b would just about cover last year’s employee costs at Emirates (R48 billion), so South Africa could have bought the airline’s staff. For one year.But as noted, we now know that Mohale’s R50 billion estimate was out by quite some way. The more accurate figure of R29.1 billion would cover fewer than a tenth of Emirates Airlines’ total operating costs for 2016/2017.In January 2015, the founding CEO of the airline, Sir Maurice Flanagan, estimated that Emirates could be worth about R556 billion if it went public. Since that estimate, Emirates has had

a further two profitable years, which could well imply that a new valuation would have the price tag even higher. (Note: Emirates has had 29 consecutive years of profit to date.)

Within reach: Turkish AirlinesWhile Emirates is clearly off the shopping list, the money spent on SAA bailouts would have been enough to buy some other airlines.According to market values provided by Forbes, R50 billion ($3.52 billion) would have sufficed to buy Aeroflot-Russian Airlines (valued at $3.2 billion). Even the more modest sum of R29.1 billion ($2.04 billion) would have allowed South Africa to purchase Turkish Airlines, currently going for $2 billion.Indeed, it might have been wise to do so as, unlike SAA, both airlines have been predominantly profitable over the past five years.But it might be just as well that South Africa cannot buy Emirates. At no cost to the South African taxpayer, the Emirates Group was estimated, through “direct, indirect, and induced economic value-add”, to have contributed R4.5 billion to South Africa’s GDP in 2014/2015 and to have supported almost 13,000 jobs.While SAA similarly boasted of supporting 34,000 jobs locally and contributing R9.2 billion to the economy in 2013, these figures are somewhat muted by the not insignificant contributions made by the taxpayer to keeping SAA afloat.

Markus Korhonen is a lecturer in political studies specialising in Global Political Economy. He is currently teaching at Stellenbosch University and has also lectured at the University of Cape Town and at the Accra campus of Webster University. africacheck.org


Zimbabwe and Mozambique are divided by the scenic and mountainous Eastern Highlands

region. The two Southern African countries have deep historical ties that date back to the colonial era when both were fighting for independence. These ties extend to robust economic relations which are characterized by an oil pipeline from Mozambique to Zimbabwe. The Feruka Pipeline provides fuel to the landlocked country powering its economy. On the leisure perspective many Zimbabweans are known to travel to sea side resorts like Vilanculos for leisure and weddings. The Mozambicans on the other hand travel to Harare and Victoria Falls for holiday and leisure. Air transport that provided the smooth flow of people and cargo was restricted to the national carriers of countries. This provision in the Bilateral Air Service Agreement only permitted

Air Zimbabwe and LAM to fly between these two nations, a situation viewed by many as a move that suppressed growth and hindered the development of various sector. Earlier this year representatives from Zimbabwe and Mozambique met in Harare to review the BASA and design it in a way that is in line with the current and future demand and developments. A Bilateral Air Service Agreements, commonly referred to as “BASAs”, are treaties signed between two States to facilitate international commercial air transport services between their territories. The ultimate purpose is to promote air connectivity between the two States so as to facilitate the movement of people and goods. These agreements provide the framework under which airlines operate air services between the party States. BASAs have their roots from the

1944 Chicago Convention, where various articles that govern aviation were discussed and agreed. For an example Article 1 of the Convention recognizes that every State has complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above its territory. Article 3 (c) then prohibits an aircraft of a Contracting State from flying over or landing in the territory of another State without authorization by special agreement or otherwise. This therefore necessitates the establishment of BASAs between Contracting States.Bilateral Agreements are however not the only guiding framework that in place. For African countries the Yamoussoukro Declaration come to mind, were in 1999 African states met in the Ivorian resort to agree on a work frame to promote aviation. The YD calls for liberation of the African Airspace with an aim of creating a Single African Air Transport Market

Zimbabwe and Mozambique

REVIEW BASA


commonly referred to as (SAATM). Zimbabwe is signatory to all of the above and the recently signed BASA with Mozambique is set to change the aviation service between the two countries. New provisions in the BASA now allow for the entry of other players to serve the various destinations, airlines can now determine the capacity they provide and airfares charged based on commercial considerations in the market place. These new changes are expected to motivate new players to enter into the market. A more liberal air services framework will allows participation of private players in the provision of air services between Zimbabwe and Mozambique both of which in recent years have seen an increase in the number of private airlines entering the domestic air transport markets and with prospects of expanding their networks into the region. Destination inaccessibility has been cited as one of the key impediments to the ease of doing business in Africa and tourism growth. Liberalisation of air transport markets is aimed at enhancing connectivity thus improving accessibility and hence bolstering tourism and trade. A new player can now directly link destinations like

Vilanculos and Victoria Falls providing passengers total flexibility and convenience. Entrance of new players will no doubt promote competition thereby airlines will improve their service offering and fares are expected to fall attracting new passengers in the process. Past studies have shown as strong a positive correlation between wider choice and lower prices, much to the benefit of the travelling public, hence

the notion by LCC’s that they stimulate new markets and demand. This new market is attracted by the reduced fares catchy marketing campaigns and the flexible times of travel. The liberal air services framework that the two countries have put in place and the rigorous destination marketing by the respective tourism agencies is expected to be a catalyst of a trade and tourism boom between the two countries.


JH: There has been a huge change in almost everything fastjet have done since Nico Bezuidenhout was appointed

CEO and implemented the Stabilisation Plan and the financials are showing signs of recovery. Can you outline your fleet and network expansion plans over the next twelve months?

SB: You’re absolutely right, the Stabilisation Plan saw us leaving no stone unturned in the past few months in order to

bring the airline back to financial stability, which we are on track to achieve by Q4 2017 as committed to our shareholders.

Over the next twelve months, we will prudently approach growth in our “historical” markets, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. In Tanzania we will deploy two Embraer E190 from October to offer more frequencies at the right gauge on all our routes; in Zimbabwe, we’re adding a second aircraft from July 31st and will be looking at up-gauging if market response continues to be as good as it is today. We will also investigate introducing more low-cost domestic services on turboprop aircraft if we obtain the necessary route rights.

In fact, there are many routes all over Africa that demand turboprops (either because of short runways or short flight time) to offer the lowest possible cost for everyone, which is a fundamental principle in the fastjet value proposition. We are currently looking at three new African countries in which we could allocate a combination of jets and turboprops, mostly on domestic services. We noticed that domestic traffic flows are much easier to stimulate through low fares than international ones.

JH: fastjet has moved from 156 seater A319’s to Embraer E190 and ERJ145’s with lower seating capacities. Some would

argue you need a certain size of aircraft to make sufficient cost savings to be a truly low-cost airline. How would you respond to this?

SB: There is no denying that higher density aircraft reduces unit cost. This is the simple maths of low-cost aviation. The

true low-cost model also requires high aircraft utilization; so high utilisation with high seat density means a substantial number of seats to sell, and that’s where it starts to challenge financial or commercial viability. Very few African city pairs have got large enough point-to-point traffic flows to sustain this type of seat supply, and price elasticity (the amount of traffic you stimulate for each price decrement) is not as high as the one we can count on in Europe or the US for example. Therefore, applying the “standard” low-cost model to Africa results in flying lots of empty seats around… a situation which investors will not appreciate very much!

We believe in a gradual approach to traffic flow building. We can start routes on ERJ145s, with a relatively low utilisation in the beginning (given the low ownership cost of these units) and gradually increase frequencies as we manage to stimulate the market through affordable prices and most of all regular, dependable and on-time services. When we see that we have generated enough traffic to sustain higher gauge we can then move to bigger aircraft. One might argue that this strategy doesn’t enable us to benefit from economies of scale through fleet commonality, but we believe that a mismatch between supply and demand eventually costs much more than the savings that can be achieved through standardised fleet procurement.

JH: High levels of taxation, fuel prices, and airport charges have always been pointed to as barriers to operational

success in Africa. Is this starting to change?

SB: It’s true that operating costs are sometimes staggeringly high in Africa and even if we are seeing some positive

changes in this respect, it’s going to take a while before those costs normalise. Yet those adverse conditions are the same for all operators, so it doesn’t change the validity or efficacy of our business model; it is surely challenging if at all possible, to offer the same product and price that operators such as easyJet or JetBlue propose in mature, competitive markets. But we are still able to achieve significantly lower costs – and therefore fares – and greater convenience than existing full-service African competitors, and that’s what counts.

JH: Finally, how much difference would a liberalised air transport market in Africa make to your business and do you

think this will ever become a reality?

SB: People have been talking about the liberalisation of air transport in Africa for decades. There are two options. One

can either lament about its slow progress, to little effect, or, work within current constraints and still achieve benefits for the travelling public in those markets where a level playing field is more or less in place. We’ve chosen the latter. Africa is a huge continent with a vast mosaic of different situations and circumstances in each of its markets; it will not liberalise at once nor overnight and we’ve built this reality into our business model already.

JOIN US AT AVIADEV IN 2018 FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADVANCE AFRICA’S CONNECTIVITY.

Africa’s Low Cost Airline: What’s Next?

Taking place alongside the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF), the second edition of AviaDev Africa welcomed over 500 participants including RwandAir, Royal Air Maroc, Ethiopian Airlines, start-up low cost airlines new to the industry namely jetWest and Jet Afrique. During the event, AviaDev’s Jon Howell spoke with fastjet’s Chief Commercial Officer Sylvain Bosc about the airline’s future plans:

For more information about AviaDev, visit www.aviationdevelop.com www.aviationdevelop.com

AVIADEV TOOK PLACE 10-12 OCTOBER 2017 AT THE KIGALI CONVENTION CENTRE AND RADISSON BLU HOTEL

171109 A4-DPS interview ad-v1.indd All Pages 10/11/2017 16:48


By Lovejoy ChihangaDrones in technological context are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) whereas in military circles they are referred to as remotely piloted aerial systems (RPAS) which are essentially flying robots and a number of companies and individuals now own these aircraft in Zimbabwe.These unmanned aerial vehicles can be remotely controlled and some are flown through software controlled flight paths.. On one hand drones have been associated with military operations initially for ‘gathering intel’, surveillance, reconnaissance, listening to mobile phone conversations and controversially, some drones are weaponised by superpowers like America to target militants and terrorists alike. While on the other hand, drones are also extensively used for private and commercial purposes.Drones come in many shapes and sizes with larger drones like the RQ-4 Global Hawk, MQ-1B Predator, MQ-9 and RQ-1 being used by the military which they refer to as remotely piloted

aircraft (RPA). Some drones are even launched by hand whereas some require short runways. A drone is made up of two parts being the drone itself and the control system. They have radar displays which show the current position/location of the drone in relation to the pilot and for some like the DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ ; Should it exceed the control range of the remote control, the “Return to Home” function will automatically be triggered and the

in ZimbabweDRONES

drone will automatically fly back to the takeoff point and safely land.On the brighter side drones are becoming popular in civilian and business circles for supporting law enforcement, they can be used by the media to reach remote areas, contribution to infrastructure maintenance and management, even the presidential input scheme and command agriculture can be monitored as to how effectively the inputs disbursed are being used. In some countries drones are conveniently being used for search and rescue, global film industry, game counting, geological surveys, traffic and weather monitoring. Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate welcomed this development and is having wildlife personnel trained by a South African company on the use and maintenance of drones to protect wildlife endangered species like elephants and rhinos and zero in on poaching rings.From a privacy point of view drones are being used by the paparazzi to obtain images from locations once thought to


be private from prying eyes.The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe last year issued a public notice encouraging the general public and businesses alike to register their drones with the Authority. CAAZ is both the operator of airports and regulator of airspace in Zimbabwe. The soon to be gazetted drone regulations prescribe the following:• Report to CAAZ if there is a drone related accident where someone is injured or property

is damaged ; • Avoid flying in prohibited or controlled airspace, • Keep a log book of all your drone flights, • Keep a record of any incidents/ accidents, • Keep a fire extinguisher and first aid kit, • Fly a drone only when one has a valid CAAZ authorisation, • Do not fly a drone in bad weather,

• Do not land on or take off from a road, • Do not fly along a road or within 30 metres of it, (a) Do not fly adjacent to or above a nuclear power plant, prison, police station, crime scene, court of law, national key point or strategic installation.• Do not deliver or drop off things or carry dangerous goods, • Do not use drugs within 8 hours of flying a drone or while flying it, • Do not fly drones directly overhead any person or group of people or within a lateral distance of 30 m from any person, • Do not operate within a lateral distance of 30m from any structure or building,For more information contact www.caaz.co.zw / 04 585073-80 / 0772 132 715-30


The new international Victoria Falls Airport has played a major role in the current boom in tourist arrivals to Zimbabwe’s top resort town,

with new airlines, new routes and increased flight capacity from existing carriers all contributing to the growing momentum.Ross Kennedy, Chief Executive of Africa Albida Tourism, a leading Zimbabwean hospitality group, said room occupancies in Victoria Falls for the ten months ended October 31, 2017 had seen an increase of 18 per cent over the same period in 2016. This equates to nearly 29,000 additional rooms sold over that period by ten hotels, which together have 1,125 rooms available per night and measure arrivals monthly.The feedback in Victoria Falls shows that this same trend is also evident across the rest of the sector, which represents a further 700 rooms available per night.“The positive impact of these rising numbers on the local economy and the

tourism sector is substantial, and very welcome after many difficult years,” said Kennedy.According to Kennedy, new businesses are opening across the industry in the region, with new lodges, hotel rooms, restaurants, bars and activities, all of which combine to enhance the draw of the destination, which is a hub for Hwange, Matobo Hills, the rest of Zimbabwe and the KAZA (Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area) region. KAZA, which is made up of five Southern African countries, boasts some of the most pristine and diverse wildlife areas left on the planet. With both Kasane and Livingstone airports also having been recently upgraded, the three airports can now handle three million passengers per year between them, and so make this hub, the power house of the KAZA region’s tourism growth.The growth in international tourist arrivals is expected to continue, with bookings indicating at least a 10 per cent growth

New Victoria Falls International Airport Behind Boom in Tourist Arrivals to the Destination

Ross Kennedy, Chief Executive of Africa Albida Tourism


for the destination in 2018 compared to 2017, while South African-based travel operators are also reporting high demand for the region for 2018 and 2019, Kennedy said. “This reflects the confidence that the international markets have in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and the region”, Kennedy said. BA Comair is operating larger aircraft on the Johannesburg/Victoria Falls route, with a daily schedule operated by a B737-800 aircraft, which accommodates 162 passengers, and, three additional flights per week scheduled since July, using an aircraft that accommodates 150 passengers. South African Airways is operating an Airbus A330-200 with 222 seats, which is 88 seats more than their previous aircraft capacity.In addition, Victoria Falls has new airlines servicing the destination, namely Ethiopian Airways and Kenya Airways, linking Victoria Falls to North and East Africa. Both airlines have their own hubs and networks for better connections and packaging.Kenya Airways fly on from Victoria Falls to Cape Town, creating a much-needed route linking the three iconic African destinations of Cape Town, Victoria

Falls and Kilimanjaro.The latest arrivals into Victoria Falls Airport are SA Airlink, offering the Cape Town to Victoria Falls route six days a week, and Fastjet, which has now added Johannesburg to Victoria Falls three times a week to their schedule.In the domestic air space, Air Zimbabwe and Fastjet are now both operating 7 days a week on the Harare to Victoria

Falls route, which has been a boost for domestic tourism.Africa Albida Tourism is a Zimbabwe-owned hospitality group which operates a portfolio of properties in Victoria Falls, including Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Victoria Falls Safari Club, Victoria Falls Safari Suites, Lokuthula Lodges (Victoria Falls), and Ngoma Safari Lodge in Chobe, Botswana.

Victoria Falls International Airport from the runway

Traditional Dancers Welcome Ethiopian Airlines’ Inaugural Flight into Victoria Falls International Airport On 26 March 2017


STANLEY AND LIVINGSTONE CLOSES FOR

RENOVATIONS

The iconic and exclusive Stanley and Livingstone

in the Nakavango Estate closed its doors for

refurbishment on the 12th of November 2017.

Opening dates are set for July 2018. Confirmed

bookings for this period are being upgraded to

Elephant Camp at no additional cost, while Ursula

camp and the Game Reserve remain open and

unaffected.

The reservations’ team at Wild Horizons who

currently hold the management contract for

the Stanley and Livingstone will get in touch

with all agents and guests whose bookings have

been affected by the hotel’s closure. Stanley

and Livingstone Safari Lodge will re-open as the

Stanley and Livingstone Boutique Hotel.

SKY WALK FOR NYANGA

The Skywalk should be the first port of call for

those who want to scale dizzy heights and witness

the divine view of the Mutarazi Falls which are

762m, making them the second highest waterfall

in Africa after Tugela Falls in South Africa.

The Mutarazi Fall has of late lost its glow due to

the absence of safe viewing points. The skywalk

and skyline will offer a special package that will

provide visitors with safe viewing points. The new

product is nicely tucked away in the scenic Honde

Valley in Manicaland.

MANA POOLS

Manapools is located in Mashonaland West

Province and falls under the ambit of the Hurungwe

Rural district Council. It is in the Middle Zambezi

Valley covering an area of 2 196square kilometres

extending from the Zambezi River in the north

to the escarpment in the south. The floodplain

alluvial terraces and channels of Mana Pools are

famous for their riverine woodlands dominated by

dark mahogany trees and the pale green acacia-

type ‘Winter Thorns’ which provide protein rich

‘apple-ring’ pods much favoured by wildlife. Drawn

by the abundance of water and the lush grazing

along the banks, the elephants, antelope, eland

impala, buffalo and zebra congregate for food and

water during the dry, hot season months with the

predators not far behind them.

Manapools is one of Zimbabwe’s four heritage

sites. The sanctuary is home to over 16 000

buffalos, more than 350 bird species and more

than 12 000 elephant- one of Zimbabwe’s largest

concentration. It’s rated the 5th best park in

Africa by Gateway magazine. It is a renowned

World Heritage site for its pure wilderness and

beauty (still has dinosaur spoors) ,Transformer

Conservation area (TCA), Important Bird Area

(IBA), Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants

(MIKE) and Bio sphere reserve—one of the

worlds wildest and preserved natural ecological

areas.

AFRICA ALBIDA UPSCALES VULTURE EXPERINCE

Guests at the at one of the leading lodges in

Victoria Falls have previously viewed the vultures

in front of the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge during a

daily feeding experience.

Africa Albida is in the process of constructing of a

wooden deck and hide under the Makuwa Kuwa

restaurant in a bid to make the experience more

comfortable. The deck will be the discussion point

to explain to guests what vulture culture is, threats

and how it supports the species, before being led

don to the secluded hide to view the vultures.

Matepi poles for the walls and roof have been

used to construct the hide and terrace seating is

concreted into the hide for guests to sit on ensure

everyone has a view.

CRESTA CHURCHILL GOES UNDER

REFURBISHMENT

Cresta Hotels and the Catering Industry Pension

Fund have started work on a major refurbishment

of Cresta Churchill Hotel. It will result in the

renovation of all bathrooms and a new look for

the suites and bedrooms. It is hoped that the

first wing would be completed by April in time

for one of the busiest season of the year for all

Bulawayo hotels-the build up to and running of

the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair. When it’s

done, it will be a boutique style hotel.

SOMALISA CAMP OFFERS MORE

Somalisa Camp is set in the heart of Hwange

National Park Zimbabwe on an acacia island along

the edge of an ancient seasonal flood plain. It is

known as the lad of the giants for its big elephant

herds. It provides guests with breathtaking

views of the savannah plains across the famous

Kennedy Vlei line. Recently rebuilt, it consists of

seven elegantly furnished Sail Tents with gauze

sliding doors, a glass wood- burner fireplace for

the cold winter nights and a floor fan for the hot

summer days. Each tent has ensuit bathroom

facilities including flash toilet, indoor and outdoor

shower as well as a copper slippery-style bathtub.

The main decking area includes split level decking

with a separate lounge and dining area. The sitting

room and dining areas are tucked under a soaring

canopy of trees, with a clear view of the sprawling

vista ahead. Activities include guided walks, game

drives, night drives and bird watching. Wildlife

sighting include elephant, kudu, sable antelope,

zebra, wildebeest, gemsbok, buffalo, giraffe, lion,

leopard, rare and endangered roan antelope.


Eastern Highlands:

“There is nowhere more beautiful in Africa”


Monica Cheru-Mpambawashe

“Visit the Eastern Highlands,” invites Bob Nyabinde, Zimbabwe’s jazz music icon is one of his songs as he talks opens up the vista of the many and varied attractions of this lush area of Zimbabwe. He talks of the physical attractions of the area as well as the unique cultural highlights that include the food such as madhumbe (taro

plant) which in this country are only to be found there. In this article I will take you around some of the highlights of the mountains- Kumakomoyo- in local lingo.


Mutarazi Falls Skywalk for double joyTwo for the price of one. Adrenaline and nature at its breathtaking best. That is the deal with Mutarazi Falls and the recently installed skywalk. The Mutarazi Falls Zipline recently opened in the Eastern Highlands is one of the highest in the world. The skywalk is for the brave hearted and should not be missing from the bucket list of any adrenaline junk worth the label.The Mutarazi Falls themselves with their 762m drop are which the second highest waterfall in Africa, only bowing to Tugela Falls in South Africa. Located in a pristine bush that is totally untouched, the falls are a haven for true nature lovers.

Find romance at Bridal Veil Waterfalls

Bridal Veil Falls is aptly if romantically named for its waters that form the spread out veil of a bride as they tinkle down the rocks. After a heavy rainy season such as that experienced in 2016/17, the falls gather momentum and the veil seems to be rippling in the wind. Absolutely spectacular. The road to the falls is bumpy and requires a sturdy 4x4. There are picnic facilities so one can stop and drink in the beauty. There is not much wildlife to be seen but the baboons will definitely show face in the hope of getting some much appreciated treats.

Enjoy the best of both Leopard Rock Resort

Sometimes we all want the best of both worlds. Yes, it is no crime to want to enjoy the gifts of nature while luxuriating in the advantages of technological advances and human innovation. There are many places in the Eastern Highlands where one can have the best of everything.The Leopard Rock Resort is a superb resort with all the comfort and care that a visitor wants from top hotel. Just outside the boundaries of the resort lies undisturbed nature. But it is much more than a just beautifully appointed rooms, conference and events venue, from which one can hear the


call of the wild. It is also a place one can use as a base to enjoy the many attractions of the Eastern Highlands.The golf course is world standard and the hotel does not hesitate to claim bragging rights on their website: “Spectacular views, a bracing climate and 18 challenging holes on this Peter Matkovich-designed, championship-rated course named one of Africa’s Top 10 by CNN Travel (2013) make this one of the most spectacular golfing venues you’ll ever play.”If you value recommendations then Leopard Rock is right up your alley. It has a very high seal of approval. “There is nowhere more beautiful in Africa,” declared Britain’s Queen Elizabeth then Queen Mother after a visit.

Be one of the beautiful people at Montclair Hotel & Casino

What is the point of going on holiday if one cannot throw caution to the wind and live wildly, even if it is just for one night?Montclair Hotel and Casino have gained a reputation for being the place to go for the high life in Eastern Highlands. Every one needs a time to put on the glad rags and shine as one of the beautiful people. The Montclair Hotel Casino is a magnet for those who want to dice with Lady Luck.From the comfort of the hotel one can sally forth to many attractions including World’s View and Mount Inyangani

Mount Nyangani for more than a dash of mystery

Deep Nyanga National Park is, Mount Nyangani the highest mountain in Zimbabwe. The majestic mountain is worth a visit, if you like shivers running down your back. People have ventured up the mountain only to disappear into the mist, never to be seen again. There are many explanations as to just what lies behind the disapperances. There is talk of spirits spiriting off the their chosen ones. More pragmatic explanations are that people most probably get lost and wonder off into the dense forest where they likely fall into some pits where no search party can locate them.If you do decide to brave the majestic 2,592 meter summit you are duly advised to take some basic care which just may save you from being listed among the missing. Do go with a qualified guide. Do listen to instructions. Do stick to the set routes. Do not wander off the path for any reason. Rather use binoculars for close up views of any matter of interest. The good news is that the disappearances are far and few out of the thousands of visitors who throng the area each year.

An ideal place for locals and foreigners

The Eastern Highlands is one of the places that is definitely ideal for all classes of visitors. There is something that suits every pocket and every lifestyle. As with all tourist destinations

in Zimbabwe, there are numerous places to acquire local art and other platforms to aquaint oneself with the local cultural heritage.Do take up Bob Nyabinde’s invitation and visit the Eastern Highlands. You will not regret [email protected]


It is important to think about what food you should eat before flying as our bodies were not designed to digest food while flying through at such speeds. Knowing which foods to eat before a flight will help your body function normally and healthily so you land in tip top condition.To start your holiday right you can stock up on some snacks before your flight which experts say will give your body a much needed boost. Depending on the time of your flight, you may choose to have a pre-flight meal at the airport. Most airports offer an array of choices. Opt for somewhere where you can have a light meal consisting of plenty of vegetables with salads, and some lean protein. Avoid deep-fried and fatty foods which are heavy on the digestive system, and can cause heartburn and indigestion, resulting in a very uncomfortable flight.Always aim to arrive early at the airport with plenty of time so that you can eat in a relaxed environment. If you are running late through departures, buy a sandwich or a salad to eat leisurely on the plane.The following are some of the highly recommended foods to eat before any flight.

WaterThe first rule is to stay hydrated. Before your flight you can drink loads of water. Throw a lemon slice or two in your cup—the citrus contains antibacterial properties that can alleviate sore throats. Watermelon is a good fruit as it is rich in antioxidants, and it is also full of water.The biggest issue on long haul flights is hydration. The humidity on planes is kept below 20%. It’s good to drink something like energy drinks before a flight to beef up your electrolytes.

Herbal TeaWhilst coffee is great and will perk you up for a little bit, there is no doubt that caffeine can dehydrate you and leave you feeling tired. Instead of coffee why not try caffeine free herbal tea which will surely keep you hydrated through the flight and you can choose any flavour you want.

Protein Eat a protein packed meal before boarding. Studies show that eating a high-protein diet has a number of health benefits. Not only does it help you maintain and lose weight, but it also works to stabilize your

blood sugar levels, improve your ability to learn and concentrate, boost your energy levels, support your muscles and bones and support the absorption of important nutrients. You can get yourself a protein bar for those time periods between meals or unexpected flight delays. An easy to eat and tasty protein bar is a great way to sustain your energy levels and fight hunger.

Oats If you want to get some sleep during your flight then you should consider taking oats or oatmeal before a long flightSimilarly, you should eat oats or oatmeal before a long flight if you want to get some sleep. Oats contain melatonin and tryptophan, which both help you fall asleep. Plus, they contain plenty of fibre and carbs, helping to keep you full throughout your flight.

GingerGinger often quells the effects of travel sickness. You can order meals with ginger and if it is not available consider ginger ale from the drinks menu as it is useful in improving digestion and increasing absorption of food. Drinking a cup of ginger tea before boarding your flight can help prevent the nausea and vomiting associated with motion.

OrangesNot only can this fruit withstand the trip to the airport in a bag, but oranges are loaded with Vitamin C to boost your immunity while you fly through the air in what is basically a petri dish of bacteria. Plus, oranges are another source of hydration.Magnesium-rich foods:Dark, leafy greens should be a priority before boarding, as well as nuts and seeds. These magnesium-rich foods can help trigger

sleep and relieve muscle and tension. You can order some fruits and vegetables to avoid the dreaded “jet bloat.”

TIPS ON WHAT TO AVOIDAlcoholConsuming alcohol before or during a flight should be avoided, at least in excessive amounts as it leads to dehydration which is already a concern for most fliers given dry air and salty meals on planes.If having a drink is a must for you, counteract the effect of the booze by consuming plenty of water. It may be tempting to get alcohol on air but the effect of alcohol intensifies at a higher altitude, so you will become intoxicated quite quickly. Alcohol can also leave you feeling exhausted after sleeping, which is not ideal if mixed with jet lag.

Carbonated BeveragesCarbonated beverages contribute to bloating and cramping, two enemies of the long-haul passenger. Again, we’re suggesting that you avoid foods that impede digestion, cause gas and potentially cause distress to you and your fellow passengers.

Too Much CoffeeDon’t drink too much coffee—Excess caffeine may cause nervousness and possibly insomnia. Excess caffeine stimulates gastric acid production, which can cause heartburn. The importance of eating healthy and well can never be underestimated more so several feet above ground. These tips are a guideline on what is recommended and what is not recommended to consume during or before a flight. Next time you are on a long haul flight do try the recommended foods and see for yourself which air diet is best.

WATCHWHAT YOU EAT BEFORE BOARDING


DIARY ACTIVITIES15:00-17:00I have an unusual roaster, I start my 24 hour shift at 18:00hrs, which means my works preparation start when most people are winding down the clock to finish their 8 to 5 job.

18:00 - 1900I usually arrive at work 30 minutes early; it’s a culture that I told myself to cultivate and uphold. Our shift commences with a handover and takeover exercise with the previous shift thereafter we have a parade and roll call, duty allocation, and inspection. A firefighter must always look smart.

19:00-20:00Equipment checks, testing and readiness for turn outs. This is one of my favorite aspects of my job. The moment I turn the ignition key on of the Magirus Fire tender and it produces a roar of sheer power and determination.

20:00 – 2200Dinner, briefing and social time. I am a keen physical training enthusiast so I watch what I eat and try as much as I can to limit my carbs intake, besides my jobs requires me to be physically fit.

2200 - 0000Fire Cover for late night flight traffic. It has become a standard that when and airline is refueling there must be fire cover or standby in the case of any eventuality. Some airlines require fire cover they are landing and taking off, so we position our fire tenders at the apron.

0500 – 0800 Our daily early morning ritual, requires us to test our equipment and report any faults

ALLin a day’s workAll In a Day’s Work is a feature which focuses on a particular career within the Aviation industry from the daily activities of the office bearer. This edition will focus on Rejoice Mlala a Sub Officer at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.REJOICE MLALARole: Sub Officer at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.Likes: Travelling, Socializing Dislikes: Stigma against women. Favorite Job Aspect: Training and operating the Iveco Magirus Fire Tender.


or malfunctions. As a woman breaking barriers, it’s encouraging to see men taking up cleaning duties during our station cleaning , as I take up duties in this male dominated field.

0800 – 0900This is where my Gym App, comes in handy. I have an hour per day for physical training which mostly comprises of a few sets of squats, Zumba and core workouts.

0900 – 1000Records verification and actioning on equipment status.

1100 – 1300Standard and situational drills, Equipment maintanance

1300 – 1400Lunch time, yet another low carb meal and I always devote 15 minutes of my time to prayer and Bible study as it keeps me going.

1400 – 1600Lectures. Our trade is ever developing and evolving. We are required to keep on learning and equipping ourselves with the best practices of our field.

1600 – 1800 Stand- down, wrap up all of the activities that we would have carried out. Need to start preparing for the handover report to the next shift.

1800 – 1830 Handover and knock off.


FLYING TIPS

Essential travel information

Tips for a Comfortable Flight• For your own comfort try and travel light. • Wear loose clothing and elasticated stockings made of natural fibre. • Increase your normal intake of water and only if need be drink alcohol but in moderation. • Use moisturising cream to keep your skin from drying out. • Take off shoes in the plane to prevent your feet from swelling up or wear shoes that will cope with expanding ankles. • Avoid heavy meals during the flight. • Short walks once every two hours are excellent for circulation. • Try to touch your toes when waiting in the aisle to stretch your hamstrings. • On arrival at your destination, have a hot shower or a relaxing bath. • On arrival a quick jog, brisk walk, or a vigorous scrub will help stimulate your circulation.

What is prohibited on board an aircraft?Generally, you must not take on board:- • Firearms of any type including replicas or toys• Explosives including fireworks, flares, toy gun caps • Gases including compressed gas cylinders, tear gas, mace, pepper sprays, household aerosols• Flammable materials including petrol, lighter fuel, paint, thinners, non- safety matches, fire lighters, flammable glue • Poisons including weed killers, pesticides, insecticides • Corrosive substances including batteries, mercury, drain cleaners • Other dangerous goods such as magnetised or radioactive material, toxic or infectious substances like laboratory diagnostic samples • Recently, some airlines adopted banning the use and carriage of Samsung Galaxy Note 7. (Please check on its status with your airline before traveling). • Hoover-boards• Laptops and other electrical devices on all flight to America from the Middle East. (Please check with your airline)


FLYING TIPS

What is the carry-on baggage allowance? Economy class passengers are allowed one piece of hand-carry baggage weighing up to 7kg (16lbs). This bag’s total length, width and height must measure no more than 115cm (46?).

What is the check-in baggage allowance?Most economy passengers are permitted to check in up to 20kg of baggage. (Passengers are requested to check with their airlines as the baggage allowance may differ by destination and type of ticket held.) For baggage in excess of the allowed weight, passengers may choose to either pay an excess baggage charge, or air freight it to their destination as unaccompanied baggage.

Passport, Visa & Health RequirementsPassport, visa and health requirements vary from country to country. Contact your travel agent or the nearest ticket office for current passport, visa and health requirements of the countries you are planning to travel to. Many countries require proof of return/onward and sufficient funds for your stay. Please contact the nearest Consulate of the country to which you are traveling for additional information. Passengers, for instance, traveling on Ethiopian Airlines between Rome and Stockholm who require entry visa to Schengen countries must have a valid multiple Schengen visa. Passengers holding a single Schengen visa already used to enter Sweden, Italy or another Schengen country cannot travel on Ethiopian Airlines flight between Stockholm and Rome. This is necessary because the flight is operated as transit flight carrying international passengers beyond European airports. For more info visit www.evisa.gov.zw

Suggested Arrival TimesTo make your trip as enjoyable as possible, please allow enough time for check-in, security screening and boarding. Due to some lengthy security checkpoint waiting times, earlier arrivals are recommended. We recommend that you check in at least 3 hours before your flight is scheduled to depart.


FLYING TIPS

Identification Cards (ID) Please remember to have your government-issued picture ID card available at all times. Note also that you may be required to present proof of age (such as a birth certificate) at the airport for children who may be traveling with you.

Customs RegulationsCustoms regulations and procedures that apply to travelers entering or exiting vary from country to country and are changed frequently. Contact your travel agent or the nearest ticket office for current customs regulations of countries you are planning to travel to.

Agricultural ProductsSeveral countries have restrictions regarding importation of agricultural products. Contact your travel agent or the nearest ticket office for current restrictions on importation and export of agricultural products.

Are airport tours available for schools?Yes. CAAZ conducts airport tours for school children, colleges, community organizations and aviation enthusiasts. Interested parties should call Airport Manager +263-4-585073 or Customer Services +263-4-585160

Are there facilities to wrap items or bags prior to departure?Yes there is a wrapping machine at the Departures Hall. Services are offered by the NHS at a fee in queries +263-4-575111

Do you have smoking facilities?

All of our international airports are equipped with smoking lounges in the departure terminal.

CAAZ Information Desk: + 263-4-585073-88Facebook: Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe Twitter: caaz_onlineInstagram: caazonlineParking: CarSafe +263-4-575633-4

Do your airports cater for disabled passengers and airport users?

CAAZ is committed to providing world-class facilities that meet the needs of all airport users. Disabled people form an important part of that community and CAAZ has placed a strong focus on ensuring existing and new facilities within our airports meet the particular needs of disabled travelers and disabled airport users.


FLYING TIPS

A trip through the airport can be an expensive one as food is commonly expensive at most airport restaurants. Yet this is hard to ignore when waiting to board a flight or stuck in delays so instead, despite not many knowing it, holiday-makers can actually take their own food through the airport security.There are security measures that limit or ban the introduction of restricted articles in cabin baggage in quantities that are not yet detectable by contemporary screening technologies and require the implementation of additional security procedures to achieve effective control. These limitations generally focus on liquids which include water other drinks, soups, syrups, jams, stews, sauces and pastes; other foods in sauces or containing a high liquid content.Solid food items can be transported in either your carry-on or checked baggage, while liquid or gel food items larger than 100mls are not permitted in carry-on baggage and should be placed in checked baggage if possible.The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe stipulates that food items brought through security must be either be whole, natural foods (like fruit or vegetables), or be placed in a container or otherwise wrapped. All foods will be X-rayed the same way as your bags, electronics, and other possessions. As for beverages and other liquid products purchased at Duty-Free stores, they are allowed on the first leg of your flight. However, these stores are typically located after security screening.Additionally, even though an item is allowed to pass through security with you, it does not mean it will be given a free pass at security. For example, cakes and pies are permitted as carry-on items, but could require additional screening.Basic rules apply to the transportation of liquids

to international countries. Containers holding liquids should be placed in a transparent re-sealable plastic bag of a maximum capacity not exceeding 1litre. This applies to drinks and alcohol. The containers must fit comfortably within the bag which should be fully closed. If you want to take something to drink on board; the best solution is to buy it in the departures lounge, after security check. Liquids in hand baggage cannot exceed 100ml each.Exemption from the above requirements shall be allowed only in relation to essential medicines, as in relation to foods that are intended for special dietary or other medical purposes, as well as baby food and milk are permitted in quantities larger than 100 ml, but only for use during the trip and you may be requested to prove its authenticity. At the point of security control, a passenger shall present the document that confirms the need for the availability of medical and diabetic equipment and their use during the flight. Parents with infants may take on board baby food in the amount that is required for the child for the duration of the flight.You can prepare snacks that you can take on the plane, such as mixed vegetables, which will otherwise go off in the fridge whilst you are away. Chop up some red peppers, carrots and cucumber (or whatever you have), and put into a lunchbox. Fresh and dried fruit are great too, but avoid sticky fruit such as oranges and mango, which can get mess. Energy bars, nuts, and fruits are all easily-transportable and healthy options.Although it varies from airport to airport state to state, food can be taken through security subject to screening and laws of the state. Next time you have that long awaited flight be sure to check with your airline or airports authority on what food you can take through the airport security.

CAN YOU TAKE FOOODTHROUGH AIRPORT SECURITYAND WHAT IS ALLOWEDThis is a question that many passengers ask